Bring great content to the heart of our community
Turn trends, insights and ideas into content people actually want to engage with
Be the organisational glue behind a busy Communications + Engagement team
Can you spot a content opportunity before everyone else does? Do you understand why one post flies while another falls flat, and know what the analytics are actually telling you? Are you the sort of person who sees a trend and immediately thinks, "We could make that work for us"?
And, just as importantly, are you exceptionally organised, instinctively one step ahead and good at keeping lots of moving parts moving?
If that sounds like you, keep reading.
Ko wai mātau | About us
At Whakatāne District Council we love what we do because we do it for others, and that feels good. We work hard and we know it's important to stop and play too. We're on a learning journey because we know we can always do better, and we know we're better together. Will you come on that journey with us?
You'll get access to a range of staff benefits and you'll never be more than half an hour away from rivers, lakes, forests, beaches and great walks, with most right on your doorstep. We love this place, and you will too.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
This isn't your standard communications coordination role.
We're looking for someone who can bring content creativity, social media nous and exceptional coordination together in one role.
You'll help drive our social media and digital content across the team's portfolios, working alongside our communications and engagement specialists to find the stories, moments and ideas worth sharing. You'll create content yourself, help others turn their work into great content, keep an eye on what's happening online and find clever, relevant ways to bring emerging trends into a local government context while they're still, well... trending.
But creating good content is only half the job.
You'll also help keep a large, busy Communications + Engagement team connected and organised. You'll support the Manager Communications and Engagement, coordinate activity across the team and have a knack for knowing what needs doing, sometimes before anyone has asked.
It's fast. It's varied. Priorities can change quickly. On any given day you might be creating content, digging into social analytics, coordinating a campaign, helping pull together an engagement event, sorting team logistics or jumping into an emerging issue.
You'll need initiative, judgement and a very good radar for what happens next.
What you'll be doing
Creating engaging, channel-specific content, including copy, photography, video and short-form social content
Driving and supporting content opportunities across our Communications + Engagement portfolios
Keeping a close eye on social trends, emerging formats and online conversations, and spotting opportunities that make sense for Council and our communities
Monitoring digital performance and using analytics to understand what's working, what's not, where the gaps are and where we can do better
Turning those insights into better content, stronger campaigns and smarter channel decisions
Supporting communications and engagement campaigns across a wide range of Council projects and issues
Writing and editing clear, engaging content across our other channels when needed
Keeping team activity, deadlines, workflows and all the moving parts organised
Providing trusted coordination and administrative support to the Manager Communications and Engagement and wider team
Supporting public engagement activities and consultations
Pitching in when things get busy, priorities move or something unexpected lands
Being part of our Civil Defence Public Information team during emergencies
Ko wai koe | About you
You bring creativity, initiative and a knack for keeping things organised.
You're curious and proactive, with an eye for detail and the ability to see the bigger picture. You connect the dots, ask thoughtful questions and spot what needs doing next.
You understand what makes social media content work: a clear purpose, the right audience and an approach that suits the platform. You know how to create engaging content and use the results to understand what's connecting with people.
You'll bring proven experience creating digital and social content, and confidence using analytics and insights to improve it. Rather than chasing every trend, you can recognise the right opportunities and act quickly to make them relevant to our community.
You're equally comfortable creating content and coordinating behind the scenes. You prioritise well, keep track of details and follow through, adapting calmly when plans change or competing demands arise.
You're a strong writer, a quick learner and a collaborative teammate. Local government experience would be useful, but curiosity, sound judgement and the ability to get up to speed quickly are just as important.
You bring cultural awareness and respect, with an understanding of te ao Māori and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Above all, you'll bring energy, positivity and practical experience to help us create great content and keep the team working well together.
Ngā whaipainga | Our values
We're always learning and improving - Toitū te Taumata
We're passionate and proud - Toitū te Mauri Ora
We work as one team - Toitū te Mahi Tahi
We put people at the heart of everything we do - Toitū te Tangata
We care about our environment - Toitū te Taiao
Me pēhea te tono mai | How to apply
We are keen to recruit for this role ASAP, so apply now via our Careers site.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Liz Taylor, Manager Communications and Engagement on 07 306 0500.
To apply for this job go to: https://whakatanecareers.co.nz/Vacancies & enter ref code: 6943430.
Applications close 15 November 2026